Died after a long battle with ill health, which stopped him attending events. Until his death, he was the oldest living Indy 500 starter. Kladis began racing in 1935, driving midget cars whilst still a teenager. Kladis then served in World War Two as a pilot in the Air Army Corps, whilst also working as a flight instructor. The Granatelli brothers remembered Kladis' progress before the hostilities and he was chosen for the Indianapolis 500. As well as his immediate post-war career, he also drove as a relief driver in 1954 and failed to qualify in 1957. In 2007, Kladis was inducted into the National Midget Racing Hall of Fame, but he did also win in sprint cars. Kladis was of Greek ancestry.

Biography last updated 19 Aug 2020